Carroll ISD Works to Maintain Allergy Aware District

Due to an increase in food allergies, undiagnosed food allergies, food intolerances, diabetes and cultural preferences, Carroll ISD is working to make its students, staff and parents more Allergy Aware, by making changes for the 2017-2018 school year regarding what types of foods kids are allowed to bring into the classroom.

New for the 2017-2018 school year, all classrooms in Carroll ISD are Nut Free Classrooms, restricting all peanuts and tree nuts from classrooms, which includes daily snacks, as well as classroom consumption food, such as birthday celebrations and class parties.

The only restriction for a student’s personal, daily snack is that it cannot contain peanuts or tree nuts. Personal daily snacks do not have to be prepackaged with a label, they simply cannot contain peanuts or other tree nuts.

All food items brought into school for classroom consumption (to be shared with other students) must be coordinated by the classroom teacher, be store bought and have an ingredient label attached to the packaging. Any label that states the following is not permitted in the classroom for classroom consumption: “may contain peanuts or tree nuts”, “processed on shared equipment with nuts”, “manufactured in a plant containing peanuts or tree nuts”, or “contains peanuts or tree nut ingredients.” With the exception of “may include peanuts or tree nuts,” these items do not apply to the student’s personal daily snacks, only food intended for the entire classroom to consume.

You will notice Nut Free Classroom signs at all K-6 campus classrooms in an effort to consistently remind students, parents, and teachers of the new Nut Free policy. This policy was recommended by SHAC, Student Health Advisory Counsil, a state-mandated committee that meets regularly to discuss student health and safety in school. Along with CISD Nurse Coordinator Karen Flexer, SHAC recommended this action after studying allergy awareness closely during the 2017 spring semester.

Carroll cannot guarantee an allergen free environment, but will abide by the CISD Food Allergy Management plan to minimize unwanted exposure to food allergies and discourage sharing of foods to keep all Dragons safe. Questions about Carroll ISD’s Allergy aware efforts can be directed to Carroll ISD’s Nurse Coordinator Karen Flexer at Karen.flexer@southlakecarroll.edu.